OTELLOGIUSEPPE VERDI

presents

Saturday, October 17, 2015 • 1 pmLoew Auditorium, Black Family Visual Arts Center Sunday, October 18, 2015 • 1 pm Spaulding Auditorium

Cosponsored by

Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin Production Bartlett Sher Set Designer Es Devlin Costume Designer Catherine Zuber Lighting Designer Donald Holder Production Designer Luke Halls Live in HD Director Gary Halvarson Live in HD Host Eric Owens

OTELLO GIUSEPPE VERDI

Production a gift of Jacqueline Desmarais, in memory of Paul G. Desmarais Sr.

The Met: Live in HD series is made possible by a generous grant from its founding sponsor

The Neubauer Family Foundation

Global corporate sponsorship of The Met: Live in HD is provided by

The HD broadcasts are supported by

(Cast in order of vocal appearance)

MONTANO Jeff Mattsey

CASSIO Dimitri Pittas

AGO Željko Lucic

RODERIGO Chad Shelton

OTELLO Aleksandrs Antonenko

DESDEMONA Sonya Yoncheva

EMILIA Jennifer Johnson Cano

A HERALD Tyler Duncan

LODOVICO Günther Groissböck

´ˇ

ACT I Cyprus, late 19th century. During a storm, the people of Cyprus await the return of their governor and general of the Venetian fleet, the Moor Otello. He has been fighting the Muslim Turks and guides his victorious navy to safe harbor. In his absence, the young Venetian Roderigo has arrived in Cyprus and fallen in love with Otello’s new wife, Desdemona. Otello’s ensign Iago, who secretly hates the governor for promoting the officer Cassio over him, promises Roderigo to help win her. While the citizens celebrate their governor’s return, Iago launches his plan to ruin Otello. Knowing that Cassio gets drunk easily, Iago proposes a toast. Cassio declines to drink, but abandons his scruples when Iago salutes Desdemona. Iago then goads Roderigo into provoking a fight with the now-drunk Cassio. Montano, the former governor, tries to separate the two, and Cassio attacks him as well. Otello appears to restore order, furious about his soldiers’ behavior. Realizing that Desdemona has also been disturbed by the commotion, he takes away Cassio’s recent promotion and dismisses all. Otello and Desdemona reaffirm their love.

ACT II Iago advises Cassio to present his case to Desdemona, arguing that her influence on Otello will secure his rehabilitation. Alone, Iago reveals his bleak, nihilistic view of humankind. He makes dismissive remarks about Desdemona’s fidelity to Otello, whose jealousy is easily aroused. Otello’s suspicions are raised when Desdemona appears and appeals to him on Cassio’s behalf. Otello evasively complains of a headache, and Desdemona offers him a handkerchief, which he tosses to the ground. Emilia, Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s maidservant, retrieves it, and Iago seizes the handkerchief from her. Left alone with Otello, Iago fans the flames of the governor’s suspicions by inventing a story of how Cassio had spoken of Desdemona in his sleep, and how he saw her handkerchief in Cassio’s hand. Seething with jealousy, Otello is now convinced that his wife is unfaithful. The two men join in an oath to punish Cassio and Desdemona.

INTERMISSION (33 minutes)

ACT III Iago’s plot continues to unfold as he tells Otello that he will have further proof of his wife and Cassio’s betrayal. When, moments later, Desdemona approaches Otello and once again pleads for Cassio, Otello again feigns a headache and insists on seeing the missing handkerchief, which he had once given her as a gift. When she cannot produce it, he insults her as a whore. Alone, he gives in to his desperation and self-pity. Iago returns with Cassio, and Otello hides to eavesdrop on their conversation, which Iago cleverly leads in such a way that Otello is convinced they are discussing Cassio’s affair with Desdemona. Cassio mentions an unknown admirer’s gift and produces the telltale handkerchief—in fact planted by Iago in his room. Otello is shattered and vows that he will kill his wife. Iago promises to deal with Cassio. A delegation from Venice arrives to recall Otello home and to appoint Cassio as the new governor of Cyprus. At this news, Otello loses control, hurling insults at Desdemona in front of the crowd. He orders everyone away and finally collapses in a seizure. As the Cypriots are heard from outside praising Otello as the “Lion of Venice,” Iago gloats over him, “Behold the Lion!”

ACT IV Emilia helps the distraught Desdemona prepare for bed. She has just finished saying her evening prayers when Otello enters and wakes her with a kiss to tell her he is about to kill her. Paralyzed with fear, Desdemona again protests her innocence. Otello coldly strangles her. Emilia runs in with news that Cassio has killed Roderigo. Iago’s plot is finally revealed and Otello realizes what he has done. Reflecting on his past glory he pulls out a dagger and stabs himself, dying with a final kiss for his wife.

For tickets or more info call the Box Office at 603.646.2422 or visit hop.dartmouth.edu.Share your experiences! #HopkinsCenter

With the vital and generous support of our Members, the Hop continues to thrive as a hub of creative discovery for our campus and community. Member contributions support the Hop’s diverse, high-quality programming and help attract exceptional performing artists from around the world—including Filter Theatre (pictured left)—to the Upper Valley.

TANNHÄUSEROCT 31 & NOV 1Today’s leading Wagnerian tenor Johan Botha takes on the daunting title role opposite soprano Eva- Maria Westbroek.

National Theatre Live in HD HAMLET sat NOV 14 • 1 pm • LOEW THREE SOLD-OUT BROADCASTS, NEW DATE ADDED!

Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the title role of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy.

National Theatre Live in HD THE BEAUX’ STRATAGEMthu NOV 5 • 7 pm • LOEWAn exuberant comedy about two charming dissolute young men with a new scheme: marry for money.

Membership gifts also help provide unforgettable arts education opportunities that bring artists and audiences together through classroom visits, hands-on demonstrations, master classes and more. HOP MEMBERS MAKE IT HAPPEN. We thank you!

BRAVO HOP MEMBERS!

Not yet a Member? Call Membership Coordinator Linda Lewis at 603.646.2006 or visit hop.dartmouth.edu/online/members today.

LULUDEC 5 & 6Soprano Marlis Peterson gives a tour-de-force performance as the femme fatale on a wild journey of love and obsession.